March 2016 Forum Focus

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Violinist Kate scoops the top music prize: Page 19

For Blandford and surrounding villages Issue No. 48

March 2016

Concerns raised over plans for housing estate access PLANS have been submitted for the development of land south of the Blandford bypass with a total of 350 homes and access from the A350 and A354.

The outline application, by Blandford St Mary Homes to North Dorset District Council, follows the acceptance of the site in the new North Dorset Local Plan.

It lays out details only of how the prospective occupiers will access the site by car, on foot, on bicycles and by public transport.

Other details of layout and design will be the subject of further planning applications.

There are proposals for a toucan crossing - for pedestrians and bicycles - on the A354 Blandford bypass, 30 metres from the Tesco roundabout, and an uncontrolled crossing opposite Church Lane, Blandford St Mary, on the A350 Poole road.

The plans also include proposals for a footpath and cycleway, which could accommodate the North Dorset Trailway, from opposite the Homebase roundabout to the A354 crossing.

An increase of around 200 cars a day on the two A roads is forecast at peak times, and agents Morgan Carey say they have taken advice from Dorset County Council on how the roads should be laid out, including traffic calming through the new estate.

They have also submitted a travel plan indicating how future residents will be encouraged to use alternatives to the private car.

Consultees had until 17th February to comment on the major application, and a public consultation was due to close on 24th February.

The community benefit to the town and parish to be provided by the developer includes a total

Tesco roundabout

A3

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A3

SOLAR FARM

One of the plans submitted by Blandford St Mary Homes, showing the proposed landscape of the new 350-home estate at St Mary’s Hill. Highlighted are the A354 Blandford bypass and the A350 Poole road, with the solar farm and Tesco roundabout marked as an aid to clarification. of 30 per cent affordable housing, only half of which will be rented accommodation, as well as sites for allotments and a community hall for Blandford St Mary, There will also be £6,000 allocated for each home with two or more bedrooms towards a new two-form entry primary school, and public open space including an equipped play area and multiuse games area costing £100,000.

Blandford St Mary Parish Council

has raised no objection to the scheme, but Blandford town councillors, who agreed they should comment because of the impact of the development on the town, had a number of concerns.

Mayor Steve Hitchings said: "I am absolutely against a toucan crossing instead of a bridge or underpass, which will disturb the road network."

Councillor Roger Carter agreed, saying: "This demonstrates the failing in the Local Plan as

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opposed to the Blandford+ suggestion of development north and east. There is nowhere to land a bridge on the Tesco side at Blandford St Mary, and the toucan is the only thing they could come up with."

He said there would be difficulty in linking the development with the town.

It was agreed, by seven votes to six, to raise no objection provided the issue of access over the bypass was reconsidered.

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March 2016

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To deliver in your street or area, or act as a drop point, email distribution@forumfocus.co.uk or call 01258 456999.

Other main drop points are: Blandford and Blandford St Mary: M&S Blandford, Langton Road; The Post Office, Library and Parish Centre in The Tabernacle, the Corn Exchange, the Spar shop in Market Place, Gorge Cafe in East Street, Blandford Museum in the Market Place, the Tourist Information Centre in West Street, James Newsagents in The Plocks, the Co-op in Salisbury Road, the 3Cs in Damory Street, the Damory Garage and One Stop in Salisbury Road, Cherry's hairdressers in Elizabeth Road, CLP stationery on Blandford Heights industrial estate, Blandford Leisure Centre in Milldown Road, the Central Shop in Heddington Drive, the Brewery Visitor Centre, and Tesco and Homebase at Stour Park.

In the villages: Charlton Marshall Church Rooms and Charlton pub, Woodpecker pub at Spetisbury, True Lovers Knot and St Richard Close bus stop in Tarrant Keyneston, Langton Arms in Tarrant Monkton, Pimperne shop, the White Horse Inn at Stourpaine, Iwerne Minster post office, Child Okeford Post Office, Shillingstone Garage, Londis Shop & Royal Oak at Milborne St Andrew, The Crown at Winterborne Stickland, Post Office and Surgery, Milton Abbas, and The Cricketers at Shroton.

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Utilities come under fire as roadworks blight the town ROADWORKS appear to have become a permanency in Blandford since Dorset County Council commissioned the town centre resurfacing carried out in November and repeated in the middle of February.

The closure of Dorset Street for Southern Gas to carry out repairs coincided with other repairs, including those of Scottish and Southern Electricity who have virtually taken up residence in the town, spending the last few months installing a new mains cable between the Tesco roundabout and Blandford Heights industrial estate.

There were some raised eyebrows when county councillor Barrie Cooper reported to a town council meeting that the reason they had diverted off the bypass, down Wimborne Road, up St Leonard's Avenue and Kings Road and into Salisbury Road,

was that they were unable to get through the concrete bridge which carries the bypass over Black Lane.

But the work in Damory Street last month caused even more anger at the next town council meeting, when Councillor Jackie Stayt, a resident, described how she had with difficulty contacted the company to complain that the hole had been dug 13 days before work started, and that the barriers were constantly being blown down because they were not weighed down with sandbags.

Councillor Haydn White said: "I am fed up with the number of holes in the road. Damory Street is an absolute disgrace."

Councillor Mike Owen, who also lives in Damory Street, said he had learnt from the contractors that the power was to be turned off in the whole street two days later because after a temporary repair they had discovered that the fault was further up the street.

At the time of going to press, SSE had not responded to an enquiry from Forum Focus to confirm the councillors' reports.

See letter on page 10.

Mural unveiling date set A DATE has been set for the grand unveiling of the doorway under the Greyhound Yard arch which is being tiled as a result of a workshop in the Pottery Parlour last year.

Local mosaic expert Judy Baker, whose work is pictured, is helping to build the mural, which will be revealed on Sunday 20th March at 2pm.

Vanessa Conyers said: "We hope to see all those that took part on the day and anybody else who'd like to join us. We'd also like to encourage people to join our Facebook page for more details of the grand unveiling as we may have one or two surprises in store!"

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March 2016

Time for change at town pubs IT'S been all change in Blandford pubs in the last few weeks following the closure of the Dolphin in East Street by its licensees in January.

Three weeks later it opened under the new management of licensee Tracey Norman, while its former manager David Tancock, made redundant by the closure, was offered the management of the Kings Arms in Whitecliff Mill Street.

Its manager Sam Martin has taken on the licence of Nelsons in Salisbury Street, which has for several months been managed by a holding company.

She said she was hopeful of being given a five-year tenancy, but had already made considerable investment in her new business and was making plans for the future.

Mr Tancock thanked everyone, staff and customers, who over the last two years had helped make the Dolphin a very successful pub and wished Tracey the best of luck, saying: "With continued TLC it will continue to go from strength to strength."

He said the Kings Arms had great potential and his immediate plans included improving the letting accommodation and developing the three individual trading areas to cater for all potential customers. "I have been successful at the Dolphin and can do the same here," he said.

Tracey, who until 18 months ago worked at the White Swan in Swanage, said she had been looking to take on a pub of her own which was full of character, and she was delighted to take on the management of such a wellloved establishment.

Meanwhile Hall & Woodhouse, whose Crown Hotel is currently undergoing major refurbishment and whose visitor centre was due to reopen last month as The Brewery Tap after a similar project, have announced that they hope to reopen The Anvil in Pimperne.

That too has been undergoing major refurbishment since they purchased the 12-bedroom hotel following its closure when its previous owners went into receivership last January. It went on the market last March.

Tenanted property manager for the Blandford brewery, Nick Sellick, said it was hoped to reopen at the end of March, but it would depend on how the work progressed, and that a new name for the premises was being considered.

"We have a number of good applicants being considered to become our business partners and take on the tenancy," he said.

He was unable to confirm rumours that the brewery planned to close its other pub in the village, the Farquharson Arms on the other side of the Salisbury Road, and said for the immediate future it would remain under the tenancy of Nev and Lesley Green. He confirmed that there was no current planning permission for the Farquharson's demolition and redevelopment with housing.

The acquisition of the Anvil accords with its policy of acquiring more food-led village pubs and wet-led town and suburban outlets on major A roads.

Matt Kearsey, business partnerships director at Hall & Woodhouse, said: "Last year was very successful for us, with turnover, like-for-like sales and profit all up year on year.

Investment into existing pub estate, and acquisition of new sites, was key to this success and will remain a key part of our strategy for 2016."

The Anvil has been on the market since March last year, with an advertised price guide of ÂŁ700,000, along with the other pub in the same ownership, The Kings Arms in Dorchester, which has been purchased by The Draco Pub Co Ltd and closed for a complete refurbishment until early 2017.

Above left: New manager Tracey Norman at the Dolphin with former manager David Tancock, who has become manager at the Kings Arms.

Above right: Sam Martin, former manager at the Kings Arms, who has taken on the licence at Nelsons.

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March 2016

50 years since railway axed THIS year sees the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Somerset & Dorset Railway which ran through Blandford for over 100 years, bringing prosperity and development to the area.

Although Blandford station remained open for freight until 1969, the timetabled passenger service ceased in March 1966.

Recent years have seen parts of the route redeveloped as the North Dorset Trailway, and on Saturday March 5th, the Blandford Railway Arches Trust and Blandford Railway Club will be commemorating the journey of the last passenger train in Blandford station.

They will be holding 'Last Train in Blandford', with music, videos and entertainment at the entrance to the Trailway, off Station Court, and in Blandford Camera Club's premises built on the site of the old station water tower.

The Arches Trust is fundraising for the next phase in the project to restore and bring a new lease of life to the flood arches on Langton Meadows, which once carried the railway and which are

currently being repaired by contractors for its lessees Blandford Forum Town Council (see Facebook Blandford Railway Arches Trust).

The Railway Club will be providing display material, having carried out detailed research on the railway and station to create a scale model replica of the station now housed in the Blandford Museum which was featured, along with its other work, in two railway modelling magazines last month.

The same weekend, the closure will be commemorated with special open days at the restored Shillingstone station, where two further steam locomotives joined the rolling stock on the site in January (see shillingstone-railway-project.org.uk).

The engines, numbered 30075 and 30076, were imported from Yugoslavia where they were built over 60 years ago to an American WWII design. They belong to Project 62, a Dorsetbased consortium of steam lovers who invested in the scrapped engines for restoration more than ten years ago.

Blandford Railway Station before the closure of the line.

The train now standing . . . is engine 30076, built in Yugoslavia and now resident at Shillingstone Station, pictured with its joint owner Bryan Stanley and Shillingstone volunteers John Stamp, left, and Trevor Hockley, right.

The group restoring Spetisbury station halt, now renamed the Spetisbury Station Project, will be commemorating the closure with a display on Sunday 6th March (see spetisburystationproject.wordpress.com).

Work started in 2012 to clear overgrowth and demolition rubble and reveal both platforms and the foundations of various buildings, and the site now has landscaping and seating for the local community and users of the Trailway.

A small refreshment kiosk is planned as part of a long-term aim to reconstruct the original buildings, promoting interest in the station and Somerset & Dorset railway in general. But the group, whose lease of the site from Dorset County Council precludes the laying of track, has dropped its affiliation to the New

Somerset & Dorset Railway, whose ambition is to reopen the line.

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust, whose headquarters are in Midsomer Norton, has won a Lottery grant towards commemorations along the length of the railway, and will be bringing its travelling exhibition to Blandford Museum for a month in July/August, coinciding with a festival in the Corn Exchange at the end of July. The travelling exhibition will visit Shillingstone station at the end of August and Spetisbury Station in September, on the day the Spetisbury halt was finally closed.

There will also be guided walks led by Jonathan Edwards from Spetisbury to Blandford on 30th July and from Sturminster Newton to Blandford on 24th September.

March 2016

Inquiry launched AN official inquiry into alleged police failures before the death of hairdresser Katrina O'Hara has started.

Katrina, 44, was stabbed at Jocks Barbers in East Street, Blandford Forum, on 7th January.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission are investigating how Dorset Police reacted to warnings about her safety. The force referred themselves to the IPCC. A police spokeswoman said: "Due to Dorset Police having had prior contact with people involved, we referred the circumstances leading to the murder to the IPCC for review.

"The IPCC have made the decision to conduct an independent investigation. Any conclusions will not be published until after criminal proceedings finish."

Stuart Thomas, 49, also known as George Thomas, has been charged with murdering Ms O'Hara, and is due before Winchester Crown Court on 1st April.

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As part of their celebrations of the centenary of the WI in 2015, members of the Shillingstone WI recently planted 100 daffodil bulbs along the verge approaching the village to provide a bright and welcoming splash of colour for people driving by. They also planted an English oak tree in the recreation ground to replace one that had died, helping to provide a lasting memory of the many celebrations which took place during the centenary year.

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March 2016

Charities targeted by cruel burglars

A donation of £300 was presented to Age Concern Blandford by Blandford Lions. Lions president Ian Corben, left, is pictured handing over the cheque to Age Concern trustees Phil Allen and Dave Aitchison, right.

A NUMBER of Blandford-based charities are counting the cost of a break-in which resulted in the loss of computers and cash, and damage to property at one of the town's most historic buildings.

Police are investigating the burglary that occurred between 5.30pm on Saturday 5th February and 8.30am on Monday 8th February at the Weldmar Charity Shop and advice services behind at the property next to the entrance to Bere's Yard, one of the pair built by the Bastard brothers after the Great Fire of 1731.

Intruders ransacked the building which is home to the Treads youth advice service, accessed from Bere's Yard at the back and the Weldmar Hospicecare charity shop at the front.

Treads chairman Mark Williams said: "It's devastating really. A number of laptops, a Playstation and games were stolen, files were taken out of the drawers and strewn over the floor. Fire extinguishers were set off and the office door smashed and toilets blocked."

Treads is also the base for a number of other charity outreach

services, including the JobClub, Citizens Advice Bureau, and the Blandford service point of the Wyvern Credit Union, which lost its laptop and the float in their cashbox.

Both were securely double-locked away, and the laptop was protected by a password which has now been changed, but had no personal data stored.

Wyvern director David Milsted said: "We have replaced the float and will replace the laptop and we have arranged permanent off-site secure accommodation for both.

"There was no loss of funds for our depositors and there has been no disruption to our service.

We remain open for business as usual on Saturdays from 10am to noon."

Caroline Hamblett, Weldmar's Chief Executive, said: "If anyone has any information about this break-in we would plead with you to contact Blandford Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Officers are currently investigating and witnesses or anyone with information should contact police quoting incident number 8:79."

Cash pledge keeps youth centre afloat BLANDFORD youth centre has been promised up to £15,000 by town councillors to keep it going following a funding cut imposed

by Dorset County Council.

Staff at the purpose-built centre next to the leisure centre in Milldown Road have been told their posts will be made redundant at the end of August when the county-wide service is remodelled.

Youth leader Andy Price said the youth centre management committee had drawn up a plan to rent the premises, on land owned by the foundation governors of The Blandford School, from the county council so that it can continue operating with part-time staff only.

They would be unable to afford his full-time salary, but with potential to increase admission fees of 50p or £1 a day, the committee was drawing up a feasibility plan to offer evening, weekend and school holiday facilities.

The town council already contributes to the Treads youth advice service through a service level agreement, and Mr Price - Treads' first part-time member of staff when it was founded by Ken Reynolds - said that although Treads was unique, the youth centre offered many different services including sexual health advice, a special needs club, and the opportunity for youngsters to gain skills as youth leaders. One thing that hasn't changed is the need for different kinds of support where young people can go and talk without feeling pressured.

Councillor Lynn Lindsay, whose mother started the youth club 50 years ago, said: "We must not forget that it also offers somewhere for kids to go to be safe and meet in a controlled environment to socialise and have fun."

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March 2016

RDA group riding high BRYANSTON Riding for the Disabled Group received a very welcome late Christmas and New Year gift with the installation of a specialist disabled portable toilet at their home at Bryanston School.

Last year saw a transformation in the fortunes of the group when, through the generosity of the headmistress and bursar of the school, they were invited to use the indoor facilities at the school's equestrian centre for their weekly riding sessions.

Now, with the support and generosity of managing director Tim Smith, Brandon Tool Hire have very generously provided facilities suitable for the use of both riders and helpers.

The group are grateful to both the school and Brandon Tool Hire and also all their supporters and helpers who have worked so hard to enable them to have such a successful start to 2016.

New riders and helpers are always welcome and all enquiries should be made to the Chairman, Jackie Abbott on 01258 863683 or springheadjackie@hotmail.com.

Pictured are Jack Wilson, Toby Hitchcock, Lucas O'Neil and Oliver Pagett with adult instructor Kevin Luckham, right, demonstrating their field packs.

Army Cadets seeking new recruits BLANDFORD's Army Cadets staged an open evening at their Kingston Close headquarters to encourage new recruits to join the nearly 30 youngsters gaining military skills and experience as part of B company on Monday and Thursday evenings under the leadership of detachment commander

Richard Glew.

In addition to their regular activities, the Cadets are involved in helping with community events such as the Georgian Fayre and Carnival. This month they will be taking part in a training weekend practising field craft, catering, first aid and other activities.

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March 2016

New location for charity rock festival LOCAL charity Teddy20 has applied for an alcohol licence for its annual Teddy Rocks Festival in a new location next to the skate park on Stour Meadows for the weekend of the early May Bank Holiday.

They have changed their initial plans to relocate from The Greyhound, where the festival has been staged for the last four years, to the lower Marsh & Ham car park, and applied instead for a site next to the skate park.

Featuring three stages - the Ted Newton, Danny Coker and Sunrise stages, named after the two Blandford youngsters who died from cancer and event sponsors - the fourday event, for which tickets went on sale last month, has secured headline acts including

The Hoosiers, From the Jam, Gentleman's Dub Club and Don Broco.

Among 100 other acts are Room 94, FBK, Oas-is Official, Luna Wilson, Our Hollow, Our Home, The Rocket Dolls and the Foo Forgers.

The hours proposed for the licensing of music and alcohol are from 1-11pm on Friday, 1pm to midnight on Saturday and Sunday and 1-9pm on Bank Holiday Monday, when it coincides with the Georgian Fayre.

Fayre chairman Colin Stevens told Blandford Town Council they were working to cater for the car parking for both events with the festival organisers, who were now talking about bussing festival goers from a car park in a

field off Black Lane.

Councillor Hugo Mieville said the festival was a fantastic thing for the town, and he could see why they wanted to expand, but wondered whether it was reasonable to expect residents of Blandford and Blandford St Mary to have music to 11pm and midnight. "Is four nights in a row too long?" he asked.

Other councillors commented that for the last few years it had spanned four nights in Greyhound Yard, and that it would probably be only a couple of years before it became huge and moved elsewhere.

Councillor Nick Barnaby proposed no objection, which was agreed by nine votes to one, with three abstentions.

Historic seals bring history alive THE discovery of hundreds of deeds dating back through the centuries is bringing faces from the past to life at the Blandford Museum.

The deeds carry the wax seals bearing the portraits of their signatories, and a project led by archivist Judith Ford and museum intern Toby Gent is currently researching the documents and

their writers to piece together the history of townsmen and women from centuries ago.

Last month a fundraising appeal launched to finance continued research raised over ÂŁ1,000 in one evening.

Mrs Ford said: "We came across a lot of stored documents, beautifully written and crafted, with tiny seals bearing the pictures. It was

like finding treasure.

"Many of them provide the only portrait evidence of 'ordinary' people of Blandford - grocers, builders, doctors and mercers who could not afford to have their portraits painted, but used them in their seals.

"We plan to make a visual record of every seal, and if possible have 3D scanning and printing carried out on the most vulnerable and important."

One seal on a document dated 1782 accompanies the signature 'John Bastard', one of the two brothers who were architects of the rebuilding of the town in the 18th century. Among the other people revealed are watchmaker George Lambert in 1803, church builder Daniel Charmburg in 1806, and curriers Edward and Thomas Bower in 1779.

"The seals relate to a wide range of aspects of the social and economic history of the town, and provide an insight into the values and self-images of Blandfordians.

The females are portrayed 'warts and all', but the males portrayed themselves as Roman gods," said Mrs Ford.

A minimum of ÂŁ1,500 is needed to fund the entire project, which will include creating a relational database, transcription and translation from old English of the documents to which the seals are attached, production of articles, a website and a book, and conservation, for which they will liaise with the Dorset History Centre.

To contribute to the project, contact the museum treasurer Vic Chippendale by email to victorchippendale@talktalk.net.

Toby Gent and Judith Ford with one of the deeds revealing portraits of those who signed them.

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March 2016

New displays for museum reopening NEW exhibits will be on display when North Dorset MP Simon Hoare officially opens the Blandford Town Museum for the 2016 season on Saturday 19th March at 10.30am.

During the winter, workers at the museum in Bere's Yard, Market Place, have staged 'Blandford Schools', with a timeline showing the development of schools in Blandford since the time of Archbishop Wake in the 17th century. This has been prepared by Katherine Stanley, a student at Blandford School, with help from museum education officer Sylvia Hixson Andrews.

The final phase of the exhibit on Medieval Blandford, thanks to a grant from the South West Museum Development Programme funded by the Arts Council England, has been prepared by assistant curator Tessa Pearce with the help of volunteer Rachel Lee. In addition there is a small temporary exhibit on the wax seals cur-

rently being researched by archivist Judith Ford and intern Toby Gent. Toby worked for six months during the latter half of 2015 on an internship programme from the Arts Council, and following its success the museum is considering applying for another internship.

Blandford Museum is run entirely by volunteers, but it made a huge difference to the running of the museum having a paid intern, who was expected to learn all aspects of museum work, from the routine of keeping the place clean to undertaking work within the research programme.

New volunteers are always needed to work in all areas from archiving and displays to stewarding and running events. Anyone interested should contact the curator Dr Peter Andrews through the museum, or see the website blandfordtownmuseum.org.uk.

Museum opening hours are 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday and admission is free.

Picking potatoes: Crowds gathered in Pimperne village hall to take their pick of potatoes and other garden goodies at the annual Potato Day held by the Blandford Museum Victorian Garden Club in association with Pennards Plants.

Debbie’s sharp focus PIMPERNE Camera Club held its annual Rick Ellis Memorial Trophy competition in Pimperne village hall. There was a good response to the contest for which members were invited to enter up to three mounted prints with the subject close-up photography.

Judge Norman Carey awarded the trophy to Debbie Davies, whose entries were also judged second and third - the first time in the club's history that anyone has taken first three places.

The small club meets at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month in the village hall at Pimperne, and new members are always welcome. Phone John on 01258 455356.

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Readers’ letters

LETTERS Please write to Forum Focus if there is something you'd like to comment on or share with other readers.

Email your letter, which should be as brief as possible, to: editor@forumfocus.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can call 01258 459346 or deliver your letter to: Forum Focus, c/o Colin's

March 2016 Community Club, 49 Damory Street, Blandford DT11 7HD. Please mark your letter 'for publication' and remember to include your address, which will not be used in full. Forum Focus reserves the right to shorten or edit letters in the interests of clarity, brevity and style.

Bus cuts would hit the most vulnerable I WRITE in response to the wellpublicised proposal to cut bus services in some rural parts of Dorset. Amongst others the X12 service is likely to be removed from the schedule.

I am a pensioner living in Blandford and a non-driver. I have been using the X12 (and indeed the 184 before that) since approximately 1976 on a regular basis, primarily to get from Blandford to Salisbury in order to get to the railway station to visit my family.

There is no other reasonable way to get from Blandford to the National Rail Network's west country services. Rail services run from Poole to Southampton and London, and bus services are still in place to get there, but for me to visit my family I need to get to Wales and the West

Country. Expecting the public to travel via Southampton and Reading is isolating, unreasonable and infuriating. To visit my family am I expected to pay a return taxi fare of ÂŁ100 per trip?

As a senior citizens' bus pass holder, I am grateful for the free travel to and from Salisbury; however, I would be more than happy to give up this privilege and pay the appropriate fare in order to ensure that the X12 service is maintained.

I would also add my voice to the arguments to reconsider all proposals to cuts to services in rural parts of the county, as I am sure that I am not an isolated example (yet!) of how these cuts may affect people in a similar situation.

Mrs D Symmons Blandford Forum

I WONDER if others are as concerned as we are in our village.

The DCC rural bus review opened for consultation and closed on February 8th - except that it was not really a 'consultation' as major decisions have already been taken!

We lose two weekday valley services, 314 and 325 routes, which perhaps is tolerable, but we also lose the X12 serving Blandford to Salisbury via Sixpenny Handley. This service is apparently hugely subsidised.

There has been no explanation other than a need to cut costs, so no figures to consider. Nor has there been any clear alternative given to residents other than 'do we have a knowledge of other

community transport schemes such as Dial -a-bus, taxi sharing, and volunteer drivers through other organisations?'

The frequency of service, size of bus, and willingness of regular users to pay does not appear to have been considered.

The reduction in service further skews the demography of countryside population to favour those that have cars, but the elderly, young and infirm are trapped. For instance, a return visit by volunteer driver to Salisbury Hospital from Tarrant Hinton would cost ÂŁ16, a huge amount for those on reduced incomes.

Michael Nathan, Chairman, Tarrant Hinton Parish Council

Roadworks a blight A NEW year, a new set of roadworks in Blandford - this time in Salisbury Road - again.

Has there been a period of more than a couple of days in the past few years when one utility company or the other has not been digging up the roads in or around the town?

Anyone driving or being driven over these roads will be aware of the appalling state that they are in, with patches over patches over badly mended patches.

Is it not time that there was a moratorium on digging holes in the roads around the borough? Huge fines paid by anyone even positioning a pneumatic drill near the road during this time could be used to repair the damage done in the past.

Perhaps such a prohibition would encourage the utility companies to make repairs properly on their first visit, instead of returning to the same area time after time.

Brian Marlow, Dorset Street, Blandford

Step up the clean-ups I VERY much agree with the letter in last month's issue from M. Clarke regarding the tidying up of the shrubs along the Shaftesbury Lane.

Having lived along there since the houses were built, I can count on one hand how many times those shrubs have been tidied up and rubbish removed.

I, too, complained about all the rubbish that accumulates there a couple of years ago and within a

week it had all been cleared, but already the rubbish is piling up again and looks very unsightly, so maybe a monthly clean-up would be a good idea and not wait until someone complains about it.

Obviously the fact that it is opposite the recycling depot doesn't help as rubbish probably blows off the dustcarts. Just a thought.

Mrs C Francis Address supplied

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March 2016

Proud of You don’t my years have to Larksmead issues in football be lonely

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Letters extra

WITH reference to the article in the February Forum Focus about Larksmead Recreation Ground, my husband and I have lived in Larksmead for over 25 years and have seen several incarnations of the rec.

We fully supported the children's play area, the adult fitness kit and the handing over of the main sports area to Blandford Rugby Club; if you walk round the ground on a club night it's really buzzing with many children involved, an excellent resource for the town.

Yes, there are occasionally the odd parking problems in the roads round about, but the club have worked hard to put measures in place to alleviate this and by and large they seem successful to me.

There are approximately 40 park-

ing places which for most of the week are empty; you can count the hours per week when they are full on the fingers of one hand. For this reason, it seems to me inappropriate to allocate scarce resources to any enlargement of the parking area.

Litter is always with us, not just a few hours a week, and any spare pennies would be better devoted to this issue.

Finally, the recreational services on Larksmead have taken out a great deal of the possible land for any other uses of this open space. We, for example, occasionally walk a friend's dog as do many others, and the space is really limited for this and any other free activities, such as children playing football etc. We don't need to lose any more.

Name & address supplied

Santa let us down WHILST collecting a parcel from the Post Office I noticed a large sticker on the collection desktop saying 'Children wanting a letter from Santa please write to the following address'.

I made a point of asking the postman if all children would really get a reply back and he assured me that they would, so my grandson and I sent a lovely card to Santa at the address given and sent it the first week in December. We even enclosed a stamp for the reply.

Every day my little grandson looked for his reply from Santa which never came, and in the end the family cobbled together a reply between us and put it in his Christmas stocking on Christmas Eve.

When I called into the Post Office collection department and asked what had happened I was told "nothing to do with us, it's an agency". I was not given the name of the agency so I put in a complaint to the Royal Mail online and got back a very weak reply to the effect that "Santa can't reply to all children due to volume of letters!"

I am angry what with today's many scams and outrageous abuse of private information - all ours have been given to some obscure agency and who knows for what purpose? I am sad and left to wonder: Did any child at all get a reply back from Santa?

Sandy Vine Address supplied

Renewable power plea I AM writing to Forum Focus from the heart.

I believe very strongly that we need to take immediate action in building wind and solar farms wherever possible and that every house should have solar panels. This should be a top priority for the Government.

I do not understand the blinkered attitude towards environmentally safe energy schemes.

Nuclear power is highly dangerous and leaves toxic waste for future generations.

Everyone wants the countryside to look beautiful but there will be no countryside at all if we do not take urgent action and build safe energy sites immediately instead of endlessly debating and arguing about it.

Martin Ansell, Address supplied, Bryanston

THANK you very much for the article about me in your last issue.

I am very proud to have achieved the landmark of 50-plus years in grassroots football. In the main I have really enjoyed my involvement in local football and during that time I have made many, many good friends.

It is probably those people who supported the game, like myself over a long period of time, who made it all very worthwhile, good friendly competition - surely is what life is all about - and this situation, in my opinion, is good for everyone as you travel through life's adventure.

I have many excellent memories thanks to my involvement in the game. I have to also thank my wife, Pat, for her continued support over the past 44 years - a real 'supporter' to me.

For the record I wish to point out an error in the article: I was never chairman or secretary of Shaftesbury FC. I was secretary (11 years) and chairman (7 years) of Blandford United FC. My only involvement with the name of Shaftesbury in it was being the secretary of the Shaftesbury Charity Cup competition for several seasons.

By the way, two of my Dorset colleagues, namely Spencer Miles (Bridport) and Doug Smurthwaite (formerly of Cheselbourne) were similarly recognised by the FA on the night.

Geoff Pike Archway House, Langton Road, Blandford

IT'S a sad and shocking fact that more than a million older people in the UK haven't spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member in over a month. For many the television is their only form of company.

Loneliness should definitely not be seen as a normal part of aging and is not acceptable. It is fast becoming a costly public health issue and we at Age Concern Blandford are determined to ensure that no-one should have to face life alone.

We offer a coffee morning every Wednesday morning from 9.45 to 11.30 at Woodhouse Gardens in Blandford. If you are unable to get there we offer a pick-up service especially for those who need wheelchair access, all at a very reasonable charge. It is an opportunity to talk to like-minded people, have a coffee or tea and just generally get out and meet someone.

From our office in Nightingale Court we are open three mornings per week (and are looking to increase this to every day) and give guidance and assistance on many topics from helping with benefits, to bereavement and form-filling. If you are unable to get to the office, we also offer a home visit service. This service is here for you, please don't be afraid to use it.

As a charity we will always make new volunteers welcome. If you have any free time come and give it a go; we are sure you will find it very rewarding. Contact me on 01258 458250 or email ageconcernblandford@talk21.com Carol Bunnagar Age Concern Blandford 4 Nightingale Court Blandford

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March 2016

March 2016

Refugee aid team maintain support REFUGEE aid group Blandford Cares has departed on its fourth trip to Calais to take much-needed items for the refugees and to help out in the warehouse.

Mike and Suzi Hearn set up the group after their first family foray to the 'Jungle' camp in Calais and realising how many people wanted to help.

Mike said: "Although it is difficult at times, we have always tried to keep the focus on humanitarian aid and to leave politics to the politicians both here and in France.

"Since we started, we have been able to make links with other groups across the region, so the donations have reached refugees along the routes all the way down to the Syrian border."

He said when they first went six months ago, with things they had hoarded which others could use, distributions were mostly random, black bags of often inappropriate donations handed out from the back of private cars.

Long-term volunteers struggled to give some direction to the process, but they were thin on the ground and in the end had to send out pleas for donations to stop for a while so that they could organise the process better.

The story of the development of the Auberge des Migrants ware-

Sex charges A TARRANT Hinton man has appeared in court facing multiple charges of sexual offences against a young girl.

Richard Patrick Willis, 27, of Northfields, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court on 25th January for a plea and case management hearing after pleading not guilty to all charges at a previous hearing.

He faced one count of rape of a minor, two counts of sexual assault on a minor, two counts of causing or inciting a child into engaging in sexual activity, and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, all relating to the same girl who is under the age of 13 and cannot be named for legal reasons.

The case was adjourned until 9th May when Willis will return to Dorchester to stand trial.

Mike and Suzi Hearn. house and the amazing men and women, who took weeks or months out of their daily lives to build the operation there, will surely one day be the subject of a book or the basis of a film.

To continue to support up to 6,000 camp residents with food, shelter and warm clothing to such good effect depends entirely on voluntary donations, which come in every day, are sorted and leave the shelves within hours.

Well over 1,000 hot meals are prepared in the warehouse kitchen and distributed every day.

Mike said: "It would be impossible to do it without the generosity of local people, the Blandford Forum Parish Church office - our main collection point - and the United Reformed Church - lovely sorting room, as well as those who help us sort, pack and load."

Blandford Cares will be holding a grand 'Jumble for the Jungle' at the United Reformed Church on 19th March.

For more information phone 01258458411 or email hearn@forumsprings.plus.com.

Charity delight at new patron

13

THE trustees of local charity Home-Start North Dorset are delighted that Lady Emma Fellowes (pictured) has agreed to become their patron.

Chair of trustees, Jenny Kretz, said: "I am thrilled that Lady Fellowes has accepted our invitation. I am well aware of all her other commitments so am particularly appreciative of her goodwill towards our charity and her very positive support for the work our organiser and volunteers are doing within the community."

Lady Fellowes and her husband, playwright, author and director Julian Fellowes, were guests of honour last September at a gala dinner, hosted by Home-Start trustees at The Tithe Barn, Hinton St. Mary.

Lady Fellowes expressed a real interest in the work the charity does helping families across North Dorset to overcome difficult times and create better lives for their children, and hopes to attend a Home-Start event every year and bring the work of the charity to the notice of others.

Another local supporter, the NFU, based in Sturminster Newton, have offered use of their facilities for future training and sponsorship and support for fund raising events.

Support such as this from local businesses and organisations is of enormous help to the charity. To find out more about how to be involved in supporting the unique work Home-Start does, go to home-start-northdorset.co.uk or contact Ruth or Jamie on 01258 473038.

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March 2016

Fashion museum reopens in style BLANDFORD Fashion Museum reopened for the season in the middle of February with two new major exhibitions, 'All Wrapped Up', and 'Retro'.

The first is a display of period coats and capes, together with accessories, and the second develops the popular 'Retro' theme, divided into five sections depicting different decades.

Curator Stella Walker said: "We have tried to respond to our visitors who often ask us why we don't display more of the fashions worn by people every day, rather than those used on special occasions.

"The good thing about the more recent styles is that we can use

ordinary shop models, instead of having to source the figures from earlier centuries which are so much tinier.

"A lot of them and the children's models came from Gemini in Salisbury Street when it closed, and I remember the stir it caused when I walked down the street carrying them in bin liners!"

The 1920s is represented by county society, the 1940s by utility wear, the 1950s by a home and ready to wear selection, the 1950s by 'Freedom' and the 1970s by Mini 'n' Maxi.

Volunteers admitted they particularly enjoyed working on the 1960s exhibit with its working gramophone on which they

Sixties style with vinyl on the gramophone.

The 1950s, with a genuine wireless set.

enjoyed listening to Francoise Hardy and other artists of the time, on genuine long-playing vinyl. Sadly, when the museum is open visitors cannot benefit from the same experience, since the museum does not have a music licence.

Research has been carried out locally for information, anecdotes and photographs which form part of the exhibition. Friends of the museum were invited to a special preview prior to full opening with a special half-term offer giving free entry to children.

The museum, at the top of Church Lane, and the popular tearoom, which can be accessed from The Plocks, are open on Mondays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

Railway drama on stage NINE children will be taking part when Forum Drama and the locally based Performing Arts Academy bring the magic of E Nesbit's classic family favourite The Railway Children to the stage next month.

It is the first joint production of the two groups, and Forum Drama's creative director Terence Dear said: "The audience will feel the experience of being part of the story, with many special effects usually seen only on the professional stage. "Staging it this spring is particularly relevant as Blandford commemorates the 50th anniversary of the last passenger service on the Somerset and Dorset Railway."

There will be three performances at the Corn Exchange, Blandford: Friday 8th April at 7.30pm and Saturday 9th April at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale at TIC, Sapling Gift Shop and Horrocks & Webb. Children have free admission.

March 2016

Injured soldier calls in on his nationwide tour A MAN travelling around the country on a mobility scooter in support of Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and the RNLI, as well as his own regiment, arrived in Blandford last month.

Former Queens Dragoon Guard Mark Newton, who suffered a severe knee injury in October 1991, is on a mission to record the country's war and lifeboat memorials, in association with the Imperial War Museum, whose national archive he is updating as he goes.

But he also found time to call into the Disability Action Group premises in Nightingale Court, Blandford, where he was offered the use of their photocopying facilities, and took a trip along the North Dorset Trailway to Sturminster Newton, recording the entire journey on video and checking it for use by the disabled.

"There are gates where they

don't need to be and a very physically impaired person would not be able to manage them without help," he said. "Some of the slopes are quite steep and need to be done slowly and signage in a few spots needs improving."

He visited Blandford Parish Church and other sites with recorded memorials, saying: "I have found two unrecorded preWW1 and one new memorial so far, a sanctuary lamp."

He was also checking that the memorials remain in the locations where they are recorded.

Funding his trips with his war pension and support from individuals and businesses, he is being helped by supermarket Tesco, whose Blandford St Mary store hosted his three-day stop with his scooter and live-in trailer and allowed him to collect for his charities before he moved on to Dorchester.

Visit his aroundbritain.org.uk website to follow his progress.

Mark Newton with volunteers at the Disability Action Group in Nightingale Court, Blandford.

A MAN who initially denied a charge of wounding with intent in relation to a stabbing incident in Blandford on 14th November has now pleaded guilty to the offence.

Craig Parry, aged 39, of Peel Close, Blandford, has been remanded in custody for pre-sentence report and is due to appear in court for sentence on 4th March.

The hearing at Dorchester Crown Court was told the victim suffered two stab wounds to the rear of his shoulder and two to his calf, and that one had severed an artery.

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16

March 2016

Top marks for academy girls THE Performing Arts Theatre Academy's intermediate musical theatre class has received the highest grade of achievement in their LAMDA Grade One, group musical theatre exam.

The five girls were awarded a distinction by the examining board and principal Rebecca Hollands could not be more proud of her students.

"They worked incredibly hard, individually and as a team, and thoroughly deserved the distinction awarded to them," she said.

"This type of achievement always reminds us why we set up this academy and we cannot wait for more success in the coming months with the grade one singing exams and a junior entry level musical theatre exam coming up in March."

The Academy's drama and musical theatre students will also be starring in The Railway Children in a joint production with Forum Drama on 8th and 9th April.

For class information please get in touch with the Academy's principals at thepatheatreacademy@gmail.com, 07920 755791 or see the website thepatheatreacademy.

Volunteers sought for Abbey project MILTON Abbey is offering an opportunity for volunteers to help with the project to conserve and repair the fabric of the church and celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, who designed the historic landscape back in the 18th century.

Tom Roberts, project director on behalf of Salisbury Diocese, said: "Work on the muchneeded restoration of the Abbey, 'The Great Stare' project, is due to commence early in March and the Heritage Lottery will be mak-

ing its final decision with regard to the amazing restoration of the Capability Brown landscape and appointment of activities and Abbey operations management in mid-June.

"In the meantime, we are seeking to enlist a new team of volunteers encompassing a wide range of roles to add to the current steward team."

During the spring they will be preparing for the summer launch of the exhibitions and events for the national Capability Brown Festival, for which Milton Abbey is the South

West hub.

A packed meeting took place in Milton Abbey School Theatre in January to hear about progress and to listen to the new ideas for volunteering skills, which include IT, driving, teaching and helping young people, fundraising, organising, researching, shop sales, catering and caring, photography, land management and archaeology.

For more information and details of forthcoming events and activities, see their website miltonabbey.org.

Quiz questions and chips a winning recipe DESPITE the weather, the Parish Rooms at Blandford were filled to capacity for the second annual Archaeology Group quiz night with quizmaster Julian Richards (Meet the Ancestors).

A night of fun and laughter caught many out with some interesting questions such as 'What does a funambulist do?' and the

winners received a prize of six bottles of wine.

Fish and chip suppers were enjoyed, and 15 raffle prizes donated by local stores and businesses were won.

Fundraising goes towards speakers' expenses at meetings on the third Thursday of the month and visits and activities during the year. In March Bournemouth University students will be talking about their work on various sites.

For information and a programme of events contact 01258 840622.

GROUPS and businesses are being offered an opportunity to help keep Blandford decorated with its magnificent floral display by sponsoring one of the planters in the town.

Sponsorship deals which raise the public profile to residents, visitors and other businesses, cost ÂŁ100, and further details are available from Blandford Town Council on 01258 44500 Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm or by emailing mayor@blandfordforum-tc.gov.uk

by Monday 21st March.

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March 2016

A company that values apprentices

A taste of France, s’il vous plaÎt

MEDICAL furniture and equipment manufacturer Hospital Metalcraft, based on Blandford Heights industrial estate, has committed to take on a record number of apprentices this year.

Having committed to taking on apprentices in 2012, the company has seen three complete their apprenticeships with five others midway through their courses, all of whom play pivotal roles in the organisation.

The company, which trades under the recognised Bristol Maid brand, is now set to hire additional apprentices at its site where, as well as gaining handson experience, they will also be on day release to Yeovil or Bournemouth & Poole College.

Stuart Davis, Hospital Metalcraft's managing director said: "We are delighted to be taking on further apprentices to join our team at Blandford. Our intake of apprentices demonstrates the value that we place on developing young people in

BLANDFORD-Mortain Twinning Association is appealing to local shopkeepers to dress in a French theme when a party of around 45 friends and officials from their twin town of Mortain in Normandy arrives over the weekend of 5th to 8th May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of their twinning charter.

They would also like to hear from anyone able to help with the programme, especially those who can offer to host their visitors for a few days.

There will be a civic reception, family barbecue and formal dinner during the weekend, and the Stour Valley band, which some years ago travelled to Mortain for a similar anniversary in France, will be providing entertainment at the functions.

For more information, see their website Blandford-MortainTwinning-Association or contact Martin Brickell by email to brickm47@outlook.com.

Managing director Stuart Davis with the Hospital Metalcraft apprentices. the community to kickstart their career. Developing new talent within the workforce is essential to maintaining our reputation and

position as a market leader in the design and manufacture of medical furniture and equipment."

GWEN Yarker, former curator of art at the Royal Greenwich Maritime Museum before returning to Dorset, where she is now the curator of art at Dorchester museum, was guest speaker at the February meeting of Blandford Art Society.

Her topic was 'Slade Painters in Edwardian Wessex', the subject of her new book and exhibition at The Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, which runs from 6th February until 12th of June.

The Society's next meeting at Pimperne village hall at 2pm on Thursday 17th March will feature a demonstration by Max Hale on multi-media in 'Still Life'.

FARMING river, the handy car park and launch point just below the beautiful old bridge.

Once on the water, a peaceful aura develops, the river takes over. You forget the cares of the world, the traffic noise disappears into the background and a beautiful vista opens

by George Hosford up at river level. We couldn't resist a quick Bryanston Weir upstream paddle to More from George on only half the time. The get closer to the Mill, where the Environment Agency put very viewfromthehill.org.uk water gushes over the weir in tight controls on how much of the powerful fashion, and see the river's flow can be used by a Last month our correspondent bridge from underneath. hydro plant like this. switched his view from the hill to Then we headed off for The small and beautiful manor one from the river. Read more of Fiddleford, skirting the south-east house at Fiddleford, maintained his travelogue on his website. corner of the town, where some

by English Heritage, and probalovely properties, and the church, bly begun around 1370 for INTER didn't last long did overlook the bank. After open William Latimer, Sheriff of it? Just a handful of frosts fields on both sides the river runs Somerset and Dorset, contains in the middle of January. Soil past Girdlers Coppice on the splendid roof timbers and pantemperature is now down to 8 right, which separates it from the elling in the great hall, said to be degrees, though still too warm for road, before arriving at Fiddleford the most spectacular in Dorset. the time of year. Our daffodils Mill, not a weir for taking on.

At various points along the way are beginning to flower so I susIt is said that the Stour here we were treated to the sight of a pect there is no going back. reacts to large rainfall events fine variety of birdlife. Flocks of More rain within cormorant and egret were spotthis weekaround 20 ted, as well as the occasional end is puthours, and heron and grey wagtails, not the ting paid to the river commonest of birds. The long any thoughts level was series of bends in the next of spring culfalling, but stretch of river sweep out to tivations the volume Hammoon via Manston, where quite yet. of water and long-tailed tits and small family We have its force groups of swans were encounstarted to through the tered. take delivery sluices, as Both boats crossed the weir of chicken well as over Daffodils flowering in the warm temperatures. under the new bridge at manure for the weir, was Hammoon with our spring crops and we will only still impressive. no trouble and start to spread this when we feel We landed on a grassy bank and we pushed to the weather is on an upward crossed the footbridge above the Hayward Bridge curve. Muck, followed by cultivasluices to investigate the sluice at the northern tion then sowing into a drying gates and the old mill building. end of seedbed, is how we try to do it.

We discovered the fairly new Shillingstone, My apologies if the muck is a bit hydro electric installation next to with a very fine smelly locally for a day or two. the old mill which operates using view of Last week I had the good fortune an Archimedes screw, and can Hambledon Hill, to join a two-day canoe trip along generate up to 50kw of electricity the first of seven the river Stour. The team gathwhen the river is at its optimum Iron Age hill forts ered in Stur where, after a hearty height - enough to power 35 populating the breakfast, we headed for the Fiddleford Weir homes, but running at capacity 18

The View from the Hill

W

March 2016 Stour valley.

At Shillingstone we got a good view of the old station, then out to Little Hanford, back towards Gains Cross and across to Hod wood at the very base of Hod Hill. A long straight pull from there took us up to Enford Bottom, then around Pressham wood and along to the high concrete Durweston weir and on to Stourpaine.

The shop in the White Horse provided pasties, pies, cakes and buns and we were offered a microwave service in the bar to enjoy our refreshments, washed down with ale, before heading on past Bryanston weir to Blandford, Charlton Marshall and Spetisbury.

One of the most noticeable features of the river is the neglect it has suffered for the last 20 years at least. Trees on the bank have shed branches or fallen into the water and the banks are completely overgrown, narrowing the river down to less than ten feet in a number of places.

I can quite see how slower flowing and meandering rivers are more favourable to wildlife, and that diversity was reduced by the dredging and straightening carried out in the last century to prevent flooding of human habitation. But we need to find a balance to have both a healthy environment for wildlife and safe dry houses for our citizens.

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March 2016

Above: Young Musician of the Year, Kate Simpson (14) receives her cup from Blandford Rotary President, Vic Chippendale. Centre: Young vocalist competition winner Gabi Skinner; Right: Junior winner Anna Sherren (10) with the Jim Atkins Cup.

A musical honour for Rotary Club BLANDFORD Rotary has been chosen to host the south-west regional final of the nationwide Young Musician of the Year competition in the magnificent Elder Concert Hall at Bryanston on Saturday 12th March.

The club has, for nine years, hosted the North Dorset round of the competition from which winners progress to the district round and on to the regional final.

President Vic Chippendale said: "We are honoured to be chosen to host the regional final of this prestigious competition and delighted that Forum Focus has agreed to provide the cash prizes for the winners."

Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, town Mayor Cllr Steve Hitchings, and the Wessex District Governor Tony Summers will attend the event, which starts at 2pm. The winners will go for-

ward to the national final in Telford.

Thirty pupils from several local schools entertained an appreciative audience at the North Dorset round held at Clayesmore School.

Overall winner was 14-year-old violinist Kate Simpson, a student at Bryanston School, who played Smetana with professional skill and dexterity. Runner-up was saxophonist Sophia Elgar (17), also a Bryanston student.

In the young vocalist competition, winner Gabi Skinner and runnerup Phoebe Whitley are both students at Clayesmore School.

Kate and Gabi progressed to the district final held at Canford School, Wimborne.

In the junior section, open to students up to 13 years of age, the winner was Anna Sherren (10) from Knighton House school.

Charity winners at race night MORE than 60 people enjoyed a racing evening at the Blandford Constitutional Club and raised over ÂŁ1,500 for the charity funds of Blandford Stour Rotary Club.

The sold-out evening was organised on behalf of the club by Rotarian Sharon John, who was thrilled with the result.

She said: "It really was a great evening and many of our guests told me how much they enjoyed it. I would like to particularly thank the sponsors of our races: Milldown Stud, Horrocks & Webb, Creative Contracts Ltd., J & G Environmental Ltd., Ros Nelmes Chiropractor, Blanchards Bailey, Prosper Financial Solutions and Chaffers - not forgetting the superb curry produced by Jock Baines and Stuart Montgomery of the Constitutional Club."

Blandford Stour Rotary Club's next social event is a traditional barn dance at Durweston village hall on Saturday 14th May, with a live band and caller, open to all ages. Tickets include a ploughman's supper and cost ÂŁ10 per person.

Runner-up was Jack Faulkner from Clayesmore School.

After a splendid afternoon of musicianship, Mr Chippendale complimented all the competitors and thanked the adjudicators

Philip Lange, Rowena Carmichael and Elizabeth Glen for their constructive advice to the contestants, as well as Clayesmore School for providing such an excellent venue.

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March 2016

Milldown prisoners were put to work A PRISONER of war camp was built early in the war on the Little Milldown between Milldown Road and the railway, with a siding off the main line to bring supplies.

The area closest to the town was a timber yard, where some of the prisoners were put to work building bridges to serve the war effort. These were tested on the river Stour, and there were sentry boxes, a guardroom, admin buildings, a cookhouse and parade ground, together with rows of barrack rooms.

Cyril Davis was interviewed in 1995 at Whitecliff Nursing Home when he was 84, and remembered the camp on the Milldown which he passed every day on his way to and from school in Blandford.

A retired farmer, brought up on Nutford farm, he remembered the railway siding created to serve the camp. The ground frame and point of departure from the main line was to

the south of the camp on the Blandford side which proceeded along what is now the gardens of various properties and on to the field adjoining Railway Cottage, which was all part of the POW compound.

The area where the prisoners were confined was north of the lane leading from Milldown Road on to the Milldown itself over the railway bridge.

Cyril remembered the prisoners congregating near the fence and giving children going past small wooden toys they had made such as monkeys up sticks, tops, etc.

He also remembered the prisoners being hired out to work on the local farms - his father had them to help with the harvest.

"They were happy to do this, not keen to escape, and played a lot of ball games in the area north of the huts where the land begins to dip downwards."

A GWR locomotive which was brought in to serve as a boiler on the POW camp.

Another resident at the time, a Miss Pearce, interviewed in December 1994 when she was 90, said: "It was established early in the Kaiser's war.

The whole perimeter was patrolled by armed soldiers and cameras were not allowed anywhere near. I saw one confiscated and the owner taken to the police station.

"It was firmly established by the time I started at Blandford Secondary School in September 1916, but not until 1917 that I really had a good look at it. A friend of my uncle, the Western Gazette reporter, and his wife, Mr and Mrs Clem King, insisted on two of us staying with them instead of all the hazardous travelling

from Okeford Fitzpaine every day.

"They lived opposite the secondary school in Damory Street and their daughter Gladys, five years younger than I, had just started at the school.

She took us to see the sights, including that camp.

"I recall that the public had to use the opposite pavement and were questioned by guards if they crossed the road. They had to display papers if they wanted to get over the bridge to the second Milldown on their way to the allotments or the Isolation Hospital on Shaftesbury Lane. The whole space seemed occupied either by long black wooden huts or paving for a parade ground."

A bridge constructed by prisoners of war is tested on the river Stour - the church cupola is in the background.

More victims as the slaughter continues LIEUTENANT-Colonel Francis Edward Lloyd Daniell, DSO, who died of wounds on 4th March 1916, served with the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany's), attached to 21st Division, General Staff.

Born 1874, he was the son of Frederick Francis Daniell of Blandford, a Major-General with the Gordon Highlanders, and his wife Rebecca Letitita, who died in 1915, and he and his brother and sisters were born respectively at Devonport, Blandford and Aldershot.

Educated at Malvern College and Sandhurst, where he passed out with honours, he was commissioned in 1895 and The Times reported that he was an Honorary Queens Cadet.

He married a General's daughter, Maud Esme Duperier, in India in 1907, and they had a son and daughter, both born in India, but she died in 1913, the year that he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel to serve in Crete and The Sudan, where he was mentioned in dispatches, South Africa and the North-West Frontier before being posted to France in August 1914.

He won a Distinguished Service Order "for services in connection with operations in the field" in February 1915.

He was killed in a bombardment at Corps headquarters when he was accompanying his new divisional commander, Major General Claude Jacob, who was wounded in the attack.

Lieut-Col Daniell was buried in Cite Bonjean

Military Cemetery, Armentières, Nord, France.

Arthur Thomas Percy was 20 when he died of wounds in France two days later, and was a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. The son of gamekeeper Samuel and his wife Harriet, he was born at Shroton and had four older brothers and a sister.

Farm labourer Walter Cheney, who is named on the war memorial at Milton Abbas where he was working in 1911, was 21 when he died of wounds in Mesopotamia where he served with the Dorsetshire Regiment 2nd Battalion.

He was born in Wool, the son of shepherd Alfred and his wife Sarah Ann, who had married in Bridport and had six children.

Anyone who would like to share with our readers pictures and details of events relating to relatives who played a part in World War One is invited to contact Forum Focus by calling 01258 459346, emailing editor@forumfocus.co.uk or writing to 18 Tudor Gardens, Blandford DT11 7PL. Forum Focus would like to thank the Blandford 14-18 Group and Blandford Camera Club for their help in researching this material.

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March 2016

Retired town newsagent dies at 80 THE funeral was held at Newbridge, South Wales, on 9th February for Margaret Riddetts, who with her late husband David ran Loader's Newsagents in East Street, Blandford, for around 30 years.

The couple remained in Newbridge, their planned retirement home, when he was diagnosed with cancer while they were on holiday there, and he died in the early 1990s aged 54.

Mrs Riddetts, who subsequently survived breast cancer but developed the lung disease COPD and moved into a residential home about two years ago, died in hospital on 17th January, aged 80.

Their daughter, mother-of-two Michelle Lloyd, who lives in Blandford St Mary, said: "Mum

was born in Wales and was a very independent lady."

She and her husband met when Margaret was working in service in Bournemouth, and David, originally from the Isle of Wight, was working on the newspaper trains bringing early morning papers to the town.

"When he saw the job at Loaders advertised he applied for it. They didn't know the town, but knew it had a station," said Michelle.

It was only a couple of years later that the station closed to passengers, but the shop now the eastern side of Prezzo - expanded into the premises next door when Charles Anderson sold his health food shop, which became a toy and card section.

"Everyone loved my dad," said Michelle. "He

David and Margaret Riddetts. was one of the old school, a real gentleman, and the older ladies used to bring him cakes."

Celebrations for a diamond pair THE first of two couples to celebrate their diamond wedding in the Tarrant Valley this year were Ken and Irene Cutler, who celebrated with a party for family and friends at their pretty thatched cottage in Tarrant Rushton.

The couple met at a 'village hop' at Cranborne village hall in the mid-1950s and were married on 28th January 1956. At the time Ken was working on the nearby Edmondsham estate. He was born in Woodlands, near Verwood, and had begun his working life as a keeper's boy on the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury's St Giles estate.

After national service, he worked for the Ministry of Agriculture on pest control before becoming self-employed as a vermin controller. He was known as 'the rat man' around the Tarrant Valley and regularly travelled as far as Dorchester to help people with problems with rats, wasps, moles, rabbits and other pests. He used to work with two Jack Russell terriers and a couple of ferrets, and until a few years ago was also a familiar figure at the Great Dorset Steam Fair with his collection of historic rat traps.

Irene, who was born in Cranborne, worked at London House, which is now La Fosse restaurant with rooms, but in the 1950s was a draper's shop that also sold ironwork and secondhand furniture.

The Cutlers moved to Tarrant Rushton in 1961 and have remained in the same cottage for 55 years. They have a son and daughter, and one grandson who is at university. "We've had our ups and downs, but I think we have done pretty well," says Irene. "We've been very

ter Helen), which had pride of place, along with the flowers, at the party, where 40 friends and family enjoyed buffet food from Blandford's new Marks & Spencer food hall and a beautiful diamond wedding cake from Reeves.

Mrs Cutler was also presented with a bouquet from Morrisons, where she is a regular customer, when she let slip at the checkout that she was shopping for her own party.

Ken and Irene Cutler. lucky." They were thrilled to receive an official diamond wed-

ding card from Buckingham Palace (arranged by their daugh-

The other 60th wedding anniversary couple in the Tarrant Valley will be Ashley and Marion Hunter in December - and a third couple, Tony and Jill Vasey will celebrate their diamond anniversary in May 2017.

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Pictured from left: Lieut-Col Chris Brown, Michael Joseph, Fran Bromey, Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Lesley Bryning, Richard Ashwell and Lady Margaret Latham at Stourpaine.

Visit from the Bishop THE Bishop of Salisbury, The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, attended a United Benefice Service at Stourpaine Parish Church.

The Bishop blessed the ramp entrance and archway. He also offered his prayers, support and encouragement to the whole Benefice during this time in which their Vicar, Revd Stephen Coulter, is on longterm sick leave.

The Okeford Benefice was also delighted to welcome the Bishop to their Benefice service on Sunday 7th February. Nearly 130 people gathered in St. Andrew's Church and were joined by several girl choristers from Hanford School.

The Bishop preached movingly about how, in a disfigured world, Christians can act as agents of transfiguration and transformation through faith in Christ.

March 2016

Car club’s 100-mile anniversary tour DAVE Hiscock, of Charlton Marshall, who last year took part in the Monte Carlo or Bust car rally in support of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and Blandford's Cupola Project, is event secretary for the Woolbridge Motor Club's 55th anniversary car tour to be run on 14th August.

It follows the successful 50th anniversary car tour organised in 2011, and is a non-competitive touring assembly based on a route from the start line at Wiscombe Park Hill Climb, near Honiton in Devon, via a 100-mile route to Athelhampton House near Puddletown. It will again be supporting the air ambulance.

The Woolbridge Motor Club was formed in 1960 by employees of the Atomic Energy Establishment at Winfrith and the Army Gunnery School at Lulworth. An ancient bridge in the village of Wool, midway between these two establishments, gave the club its name, and is featured in the club's badge.

In the early years, the club promoted road rallies, then

autocross, and from the late 70s, speed hillclimbs, car trials, 4x4 trials, classic trials, autotests (grass and tarmac) and navigational events.

Woolbridge Motor Club would like to thank Wiscombe Ltd and Athelhampton House for supporting this event, which is open to all, with no restriction on age or type of car. No maps are required as a route book will be provided.

Full details of the event, including the regulations and entry form can be found on the website, woolbridge.co.uk or email Dave at comp-sec@woolbridge.co.uk or phone 01258 452283.

BLANDFORD Catholics, as they approach Easter, are hosting a series of Taize services by candlelight at their church in Whitecliff Mill Street on Thursday 3rd, 10th and 17th March at 7pm. All are invited for a period of quiet reflection with 40 minutes of Taize chants and music with moments of silence and prayers during Lent. For more details, contact the church on 01258 452051.

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March 2016

Villages struck by pantomania PANTOMANIA came to the villages after weeks of rehearsals and preparation involving hundreds of local thespians and artists.

First up was Shroton's Peter Pan, directed by Anne and Chris Pearson, which had the audience in stitches in three sell-out performances in the village hall.

Joe Grinter ably stepped in to fill the role of Hook when Darren Wheeler was forced to pull out after being offered the chance to exhibit his woodwork at Liberty's in London. LJ Highfield played Peter Pan, Joe Grieves the cross-dressing Tinkerbell, and there were quite a few additional characters from stage and screen, along with some ageing lost boys, some very young pirates, and a storyline much enhanced with topical allusions.

Franky Panky, directed and produced by Innes and Susie Harrison for Spetisbury Occasional Dramatic Society in the village hall, gave the technical and costume team a real opportunity to shine, with excellent scenery, special effects, costumes and choreography.

A script full of predictable puns in a rather slow first act on the opening night was redeemed by a rousing chorus of 'Oom Pah Pah' which was reprised at the end of a much more fast-moving and entertaining second act with more memorable lines and jokes.

The Lost Boys in Shroton's Peter Pan. Highlights included the inevitable 'Monster Mash' in Frankenstein's laboratory, the audience response 'It's the vicar' to the enquiry as to the identity of baron's assistant Igor Blimey, played by Joe Edwards (priest-in-charge of the six parishes in the benefice), and Frances

Aspinall's aside - "It's not much of a part" - to her role as Elsie Ekel, the baron's housekeeper.

Mick Fowler as dame Flossie Finch, Laura Mackenzie as her daughter Sally, and Gayle Palmer as her beau, the goatherd Karl, headed the cast, alongside Sarah Rayner (Ziggy, the village idiot), Steve Hall (Baron Frankenstein), Neil Houghton as a smiling Monster, and Bev Rindley and Jenny Munford as the comedy duo (Gunther and Gussy Grimm), with villagers and other parts played by Sophie Edmond, Abigail Miller, Tobias and Carric Brennan-Gair and Douglas Page.

Goody Two Shoes with the Tarrant Valley Players the same weekend was directed and produced by Emma Chalkley, Ben Bayer and Alexis Austin, and very much a family affair, with three further members of the Bayer family.

They included 14-year-old Poppy who stepped in only two weeks before the show to give a sparkling performance as Septica, the evil witch, having also been responsible for choreography. Ben played the character part of Titus Tightwad, Benson the juvenile elf dad and William another elf Legolas.

Rob Chalkley played the malaprop-prone dame Molly Coddle and Emma Chalkley the lisping and squealing Cissie, who dropped her high pitched voice only to sing one duet but brought new heights to her solo 'Truly Scrumptious'.

Denis and Peter Pearson played the comedy duo Rolo and Polo, and Steve, Milly and Lizzy Herridge respectively played Molly's son Teddy, daughter Goody, and the pint-sized elf mother of her full-grown son and cobbler Norman, played

by Adrian Tuite.

Mandy IrelandJones once

again played the principal boy role of Simon, persuaded by witchcraft to turn his amorous attentions from Goody to Cissie.

Supporting cast played a group of young demons and a chorus of villagers, and the lively production featured impressive scenery, topical jokes, songs and cultural references, but perhaps just a few too many to the neighbouring village per-

forming the same weekend!

February saw the Milborne Players take to the stage in 'Sinbad in Space' and later in the month, the Shillingstone Shamdrams in 'Beauty and the Beast'.

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March 2016

Shroving tradition lives on ON Shrove Tuesday, the children at Durweston Primary School went 'Shroving' in the village.

Durweston are one of the few primary schools that continue this tradition, which is made possible by the generous donation of ÂŁ50 in 1925 by Valentine Rickman, a resident of the village.

The children visit each

house and give a posy of flowers as a gift 'from us to you with love', and sing the traditional shroving song. The tradition ends with the laying of flowers at the grave of Mr

Rickman in Durweston churchyard.

The children always enjoy the experience as it strengthens their links with the local community.

For those who would like to see the voluntary-aided Church of England school, its next open afternoon is on Friday 18th March at 2.30pm.

Orchard topics are out of this world

Around the world in a boat.

YOUNG children at Knighton House School's pre-prep, The Orchard, are learning about the topic 'out of this world' this term.

With the excitement of Tim Peake being the first British astronaut to go to space for over 20 years and the release of the recent Star Wars film, the stars, planets and the solar system were brought to life in the modern inflatable Mizar Planetarium.

Projected on the inflatable planetarium are over 3,000 pinpoint stars, the planets, sun, moon, the Milky Way, shooting stars and other wonders of the heavens.

Inspired by the planetarium visit the children are thinking about what they would like to investigate in their topic.

The Nursery 'Pears' Class used their 'Thinking Tub' of ideas to explore the different aspects of

space and after watching Tim Peake explain the training he had to do for his mission to the International Space Centre, they have set up an Astronaut Training Centre using doll-sized astronaut outfits. Pears will be putting their mini-astronauts through similar physical exercises while learning about gravity.

The Reception 'Apples' Class will be learning about using 3D mindmapping. A rocket is under construction in the classroom along with a space centre where the rocket will be docked. The children are also going to be making their own solar system. Thread and needles will be useful as the children want to design and sew their own aliens.

Children in years 1 and 2 have been asking interesting questions to explore over the coming weeks.

Travelling by basket At The Oak Tree Bright Sparks pre-school in Okeford Fitzpaine, the children have been learning about different ways to travel and countries of the world.

They celebrated Australia Day where one of their families are emigrating, and the children were able to take part in a live Skype call to Australia to support their understanding of the world and technology.

A boat was created from a washing basket with a scarf for a flag as the children worked using their own ideas of how to construct it with imaginative play and exploration.

Their journey around the world ended with Chinese New Year where they found out about the culture of Asia.

The preschool age children have begun joining the reception class in the school to familiarise themselves with 'big school'.

Pancake Day was celebrated with the making of pancakes. They were encouraged to measure, weigh and estimate the ingredients and work out what toppings are healthy and what toppings are unhealthy.

Orchard Prep children with the inflatable Mizar Planetarium.

March 2016

SCHOOLS

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Another busy term at village school MILBORNE St Andrew First School is enjoying an exciting spring term following the wonderful performances just before Christmas of class productions in which the children excelled.

In January Years 3 and 4 staged The Snow Queen, and the children are this term having outdoor education lessons every week where they will be building structures. They have asked for

Milborne St Andrew First School's Years 3/4 performance of The Snow Queen. donations of long ropes, tarpaulin sheets, pallets, crates, bricks and weighted objects, scaffold planks, buckets and string or small rope.

Their after-school club from 3pm to 5.30pm continues to be a success, along with the beforeschool club from 7.45am to 8.45am, where children take part

in a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including craft, art and sports with Milton Abbey school and the very popular Friday night cooking.

The White Helmets from Blandford Camp at Archbishop Wake Primary.

Fun with maths and motorcycles CHILDREN from Year 4 at Archbishop Wake Primary School took part in a maths challenge with lots of other schools in the Poole and Bournemouth area, hosted by Bryanston School.

They worked in pairs to solve different maths puzzles and questions, demonstrating that 'Mathe-

matics is the brain's sharpener'.

All the children enjoyed the challenges and thoroughly deserved the delicious tea afterwards.

The following week, the White Helmets visited the children in Lionfish and Starfish classes.

They told the children all about their jobs and showed a film of their amazing displays. The children - and staff! - were given the opportunity to sit on motorbikes and wear the famous white hel-

met.

All the children were given a poster of the White Helmets in action and the soldiers then presented the school with a framed, signed photograph. It was an experience they will all remember.

The children in Starfish and Lionfish Classes were also excited to receive new bikes, scooters and helmets from their headteacher, Mrs Hicks.

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SPORT

Entries invited for Disability Cup events ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Dorset Disability Cup be taking place on the grass and 3G pitch at The Blandford School on Sunday 5th June.

The format of the tournament, for established clubs and scratch teams such as family and friends, will be 5-a-side (10minute matches), and will mirror the current Dorset Ability Counts format with a Championship and a League competition. It will see six 5-a-side teams grouped together before progressing to the semi-finals and final.

This year the competition will have three different formats adult male 5-a-side competition (pan-disability), under-16s mixed 5-a-side competition (pan-disability) and a Women's This Girl Can Festival Day for those aged 12+.

Entries are due by 9am on Wednesday 20th April and will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

For further information on the competition and for all enquiries contact Rosie Eggleston on 01202 688273.

March 2016

Dirty devils

NINE members of the Dorset Doddlers running club took on unfamiliar terrain when they competed in the Dirty Devil Stampede held in the tank training range of Bovington Camp.

They faced up to 15k of mud, sand, waist deep puddles of icy cold water, woodland, cargo nets and yet more mud, with a finish over the Knife Edge hill after completing

three laps of the course.

The 'crocodile-infested pools' raised a smile or two when the runners realised these were indeed full of crocodiles, luckily of the inflatable kind.

The Dorset Doddlers' team consisted of Julia Slade, Mel Mitchell, Roger Teasdale, Anne Newlin, Neil Cranidge, Jane Ward, Debbie Broadhurst, Barry Jenkins and Paul Russell.

March 2016

Doddlers’ donation keeps the flags flying WHEN the increasingly popular Blandford parkrun put out the call for some much-needed funds for new equipment, the Dorset Doddlers Running Club came up trumps.

Donating £350 of proceeds from their recent event, ‘The Stickler', the Doddlers have enabled parkrun to purchase new flags and other equipment.

Parkrun is a free, weekly timed 5k run, which takes place at 382 locations in the UK and over 750 worldwide.

The Blandford parkrun, now in its second year, has an average weekly turnout of over 100 local and visiting runners and joggers.

It takes place every Saturday at 9am along the Trailway starting at Jubilee Way, adjacent to Blandford Hospital.

Mark Way, parkrun's event director, said: "I really appreciate the Dorset Doddlers showing support for parkrun, helping to grow the running community in the Blandford area. The funds they have donated will enable us to keep Blandford parkrun growing and continue into a secure future."

More information about parkrun and details of how to register to take part can be found at parkrun.org.uk. More information about running with the Doddlers can be found at their website dorsetdoddlers.org.

@forumfocus

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Pictured with the new flags, event director Mark Way thanks chairman John Cowley and his band of parkrunning Doddlers.

GOLFERS at Ashley Wood followed their tradition of seeing in the New Year before witnessing the drive-in of their four new captains - (from left): Seniors' Bob Jones, Ladies' Joan Bartlett, Club Steve Pardy and Juniors' Georgina Wrixon.

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March 2016

Forum Focus - forthcoming meetings & events Wednesday 2nd March: Blandford St Mary Parish Council meeting, Bryanston Court, 7pm Thursday 3rd March: New Yoga class starting Spetisbury Village Hall, 9.3010.45am, weekly sessions or drop in. Details Finola 07780952395 Blandford Museum first Thursday talk. Peter Andrews - 'The Fat Switch - causes of obesity', 7 for 7.30pm Thursday 3rd March (and 10th and 17th): Taize in Lent services, Blandford Catholic Church, Whitecliff Mill Street, 7pm Friday 4th March: World Women's Day of Prayer Service, 2.30pm at Blandford St. Mary (Anglican) Church Saturday 5th March: Clean for the Queen - Big Blandford Community Clear Up Day: meet by the Mortain Bridge on Marsh and Ham 9.50am Lions Easter Fair, Blandford Corn Exchange, 9am to 2pm Last Train through Blandford, Station Court entrance to North Dorset Trailway, 1 to 5pm 'Distractions of Mind', an evening of magic and mystery. Charlton Marshall Village Hall, details Pam 01258 488431 Sunday 6th March: Shillingstone Station Open Day commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Round Robin Ramblers meet 2pm near St Mary's Church, Charlton Marshall, for 4.5-mile walk, contact 01258 880044 Mothering Sunday - Okeford Benefice Churches shut, services at 10.30 am Shillingstone Primary School, St. Nicholas' Primary School Child Okeford and Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School Monday 7th March: Blandford & District Floral Group meets URC Hall 2.15pm, workshop with Irene Hickson Child Okeford Centre for Care and Learning meeting, Mary Bevan on 'A Woman Much Missed', Thomas Hardy's first wife Emma, 7.30pm: tickets 01258 860767 Wednesday 9th March: Blandford branch of the NHS Retirement Fellowship meets, Committee Room, Blandford Community Hospital 10.15am, details 01929 472441 Blandford Forum Film Society, 'The Selfish Giant' (UK), The Blandford School, 7.45pm, guest tickets in advance only 01258 453851 Good Companions Ladies Club meet United Reformed Church

Entries in this diary are free of charge. If you have an event you would like included, send details to Nicci Brown, 01258 459346 or email s.n.b@btinternet.com. This page is available and regularly updated on our website at www.forumfocus.co.uk. Readers are advised to check with event organisers before attending.

Time travelling magic duo Morgan & West (above) are returning to Dorset with a brand new show featuring feats of magic and touring to eight venues through Artsreach, including Sixpenny Handley village hall on Saturday 12th March.

On the same day, Light Theatre are back with 'The Magic Beanstalk' at Winterborne Stickland.

Blurring the boundaries of dance, acrobatics, theatre and circus, Joli Vyann present a visually stunning, thought-provoking show exploring our dependence on technology at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton on 10th March. hall, Whitecliff Mill Street, 7.30pm (and every second Wednesday).

Details 01258 450420 or 01258 488431 Thursday 10th March: Joli Vyann present 'Imbalance' (Artsreach promotion), Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 8pm Saturday 12th March: Khaki Canteen (World War I commemoration), Corn Exchange, Blandford Craft Fair, Charlton Marshall Village Hall, 10am to 2pm, for details contact Margaret 01258 456572 Light Theatre present 'The Magic Beanstalk' (Artsreach promotion), Winterborne Stickland village hall, 4pm (01258 880920) Durweston Choral Society and Orchestra presents Fauré's Requiem and Brahms' A German Requiem, Durweston Parish Church, 7:30pm, tickets 01258 450649 or email gydanmike@gmail.com Morgan & West present 'Parlour Tricks' (Artsreach promotion), Sixpenny Handley village hall, 07751 525200 Sunday 13th March: Dementia Friendly Service hosted by Dementia Friendly Blandford, all

welcome, Blandford Parish Church, 3.30pm Monday 14th March: Raise the Flag for the Commonwealth Day, 10am, Market Place, Blandford Vintage at the Village Hall, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 9.30 to 4pm Open Night, Blandford Railway Club, Eagle House Gardens, DT11 7BT, 7.30pm, details newblandfordrailwayclub.co.uk.

Tuesday 15th March: ‘Beauty in a Box’, Child Okeford Flower Arranging Club, Community Centre, Child Okeford, 2.15pm, details: 01258 863775 Wednesday 16th March: Blandford Carers meet Durweston Village Hall, 2 to 4pm, Craft Workshop Wildlife of a Working Forest illustrated talk by professional wildlife photographer, Mike Reed for the North Dorset branch of the Dorset Wildlife Trust, Fontmell Magna Village Hall (Sp7 0JU), 7.30pm Thursday 17th March: Blandford Art Society meets Pimperne Village Hall, 2pm, Still Life', multi-media demo by Max Hale, details 0333 0112174

Blandford Archaeological Group, talk by Bournemouth University Archaeological students on their studies and work, Blandford Museum, 7.30pm Black Voices (Artsreach promotion), Exchange, Sturminster Newton, 7.30pm Friday 18th March: Film Night, 'Lady in the Van', Corn Exchange, Blandford, 7.30pm Wessex Acoustic Folk, Blandford Royal British Legion, 8pm, Jez Lowe & Kate Bramley, support Rod Jenkins, 01202 732239 or www.wessex-acoustic.co.uk Easter Prize Bingo, Child Okeford village hall, doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.30pm Saturday 19th March: Guides Easter Fair, Corn Exchange, Blandford, 10am to noon ‘Jumble for the Jungle’ - Bring and buy Jumble sale for Blandford Cares, United Reformed Church Hall, Whitecliff Mill St Blandford. 10am to1pm Blandford Museum official opening for 2016 season by North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, 10.30am. Museum now open Monday to Saturday 10am to4pm. Free admission Come and Sing Day at St. Nicholas' Child Okeford, rehearsal 11am and 2pm, Choral Evensong 4pm Craft Fair in aid of Mercy in Action, Child Okeford village hall, 11am Charity Barn Dance with the Hambledon Hopstep Band, Durweston Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Tickets 01258 488883RSCM Sunday 20th March: Tile Your Town unveiling, Greyhound Yard, Blandford, 2pm Wednesday 23rd March: Blandford Forum Townswomen's Guild meets 2pm, Williams Opportunity Hall, Whitecliff Gardens, AGM and social time Blandford Forum Film Society AGM, The Blandford School, 7.15pm, followed by film to be announced Thursday 24th March: Blandford Horticultural Society meeting and spring show, United Reformed Church Hall, Blandford, 7.30pm, speaker Eric Watson, "Wild Flowers at your Doorstep" Friday March 25th: Five Special Days - a service for children 10 and under for Good Friday 10.30am, Shillingstone Church Centre Saturday March 26th:Cats Protection coffee morning, Woodhouse Gardens, Blandford 10am to 1pm